Yes, I know learning languages is extremely very common to everyone, and so as the frequently asked questions related to it. But since this is a site intended for learners—both for veterans and amateurs, I think all must know the basic details about what language learners should know about what they are interested to learn at.

 

Besides, wouldn’t it be preferable if they know the facts and figures about their interests in languages prior to their interest to a specific language itself? I guess all language learners should really know some details.

 

Anyway, here are three of the most common FAQ. Hope it will add up to your knowledge as you go along to learn language.

 

FAQ #1: Are some languages more difficult to learn than the others?

Allow me to quote the reliable source to answer this question. According to Omniglot, No spoken language is significantly more difficult to learn than any other in absolute terms. In other words, a native English speaker cannot say that Chinese is the most difficult language to learn when in fact, a Chinese native speaker will also say that English is a difficult language to learn as well. We also are considering the relativity of various languages into certain groups due to their original source of language, like the Romance languages for example.

 

Nonetheless, the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, divides the languages into four levels of difficulties. From 1 as the least difficult to 4 as the most difficult, the order of languages is as follows:

 

1. Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish
2. Bulgarian, Dari, Farsi (Persian), German, (Modern) Greek, Hindi-Urdu, Indonesian, Malay
3. Amharic, Bengali, Burmese, Czech, Finnish, (Modern) Hebrew, Hungarian, Khmer (Cambodian), Lao, Nepali, Pilipino (Tagalog), Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Sinhala, Thai, Tamil, Turkish, Vietnamese
4. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean

 

FAQ #2: How long will it take to learn a language?

Now, this is interesting. Since we talked on the first question about the difficulty of languages, there is a huge relation as to the length of time spent for learning a language. And so, to answer the question, it will all depend on the kind of language you are learning, the learning method that you are using, and of course, the weight of dedication you render for the learning.

 

If you would choose to go to a formal training from language schools, surely you will have maximized time compared if you are independently learning by depending on supplementary materials like mp3, videos, and the internet resources. Nonetheless, no matter how excellent the language school is, if you don’t give your 101% dedication to the learning, it will still affect the length of time to take.

 

Do you have personal questions regarding learning languages? The comment section below is provided for you.

 

 

Allowing youngsters and even professionals alike have always been encouraged by this blog to pursue foreign language learning. We’ve been detailing for various times already the several advantages and benefits learners can achieve once they go to foreign language schools.Of course, some of you people were compelled to do so out of need and interest to name some reasons, and we are personally glad you chose such decision.

 

Yet, the latest update posted in Global Strategies revealed how foreign language learning is seemingly declining as of this moment.

 

According to the post, there were at least four in 10 18-to-24-year-olds in the United States claim to speak a foreign language fluently, and 14 percent of Americans as a whole know conversational Spanish. “Unfortunately, chances are that those numbers will go down rather than up in the future. The percentage of U.S. elementary and middle schools offering foreign- language instruction fell between 1997 and 2008 — from 75 percent to 58 percent in the case of middle schools, according to the Center for Applied Linguistics.”

 

What’s more to come is that the number of languages offer also declined. During the late 90’s, French used to be offered at nearly half of U.S. middle schools, but now it was now offered less than a quarter 11 years later.

 

So what’s your say about this? Do you consider this good or not-so good news? Shouldn’t the number be increasing nowadays when in fact, the world has become more global? Or in relation to the level of globalization we are currently embracing now, are we becoming more influenced with the universal language so we don’t get to learn foreign languages in languages school anymore as an option?

 

We are looking forward for your respond towards this particular issue. Feel free to comment your point of view.

It couldn’t be more surprising on the fact that immersion is one of the conventional yet proven-to-be effective methods in letting learners learn English language effectively. For various reasons and studies, the frequent usage of the target language learned will really push the learners to their limits and allow them to become more familiar with the idiom.

 

That’s why if a bill would be set in a certain country to which English should be the only language to be spoken there; it would be the most challenging and the best opportunity for an English learner.

 

But as far as Paul R. Schlitz Jr. is concerned in his article posted in The Baltimore Sun, English only bill is not the best idea at all. There are better ways to help immigrants to learn language, he stressed out on the title of his article.

 

He seemed to be pretty strong on the first paragraph of his post. As quoted: “I am gratified that the chairman of the Official English movement and proponent of the Anne Arundel County English only bill is not motivated by the same hostility against immigrants that I have seen enacted in Arizona and Alabama and even in some of the xenophobic capers among the Frederick, Carroll and Baltimore County commissioners and council members (“English is the language of success in America,” Feb. 12).”

 

I believe that some—though not all—but most people have already the knowledge of speaking, listening, and even writing English from average to excellent level. There is no doubt about it. Even countries like Russia or Spain who has their own native language has great population to which most of them are knowledgeable with English. Such fact is not surprising, you know. With the level of influence English language has reached, it is way too impossible for a person to not understand English at all.

 

But in your own opinion, do you personally think it is really that necessary for a certain country or location to impose an all-English community? Well, considering English to be the universal language, how would you evaluate its gravity?

 

Your point of view concerning this issue is greatly appreciated especially when you post a comment below. Feel free to share your thoughts.

 

Understanding Russian language starts with the basics. If the learner doesn’t undergo the basics of Russian language learning, even if he has little knowledge in how to speak and use the idiom, still it is to no avail.

 

That’s why learners are encouraged to let them learn Russian at language school. These schools teach the gradual steps of letting learners learn Russian with less difficulties and maximized effects. A language school, without any doubt, can transform a no-idea-about-Russian learner to an I-finally-know-it-all.

 

And one of the basics these schools will tackle is fundamentally the Russian alphabet. It composes the following letters in these characters: А Б В Г Д Е Ё Ж З И Й К Л М Н О П Р С Т У Ф Х Ц Ч Ш Щ ъ ы ь Э Ю and Я. These are not easy to understand if you will just look at it, especially the fact that many are not so familiar with its phonetics. Nonetheless, allow this article to give us a quick glimpse as to what the Russian alphabet is all about.

 

Just like the English alphabet, Russian has its own consonants and vowels. The consonants are listed as follows:

It also has soft and hard variations, as it is the same with the language’s vowels.

 

Ё is always stressed

 

I know these are not very easy to acquire by just having a glimpse at these characters. That’s why we highly encourage learners like you to really go to a formal training. So if you are interested, feel free to browse on our Russian learning link.

 

Specifically, English language plays a colossal impact to the whole society across the globe. This is proven by consistent continuation of many English foreign language schools that essentially catch the attention of innumerable counts of people who aspire to learn English from all over the world.

The ability to learn and to speak different languages especially English language as the universal communication is a gift, indeed. The fact that language is an important component in the society, one will understand the other even in the smallest action; if without language communication the situation would become complicated to interact between people.

 

It is not a surprise at all why some people spend most of their lives studying and learning at languages school to attain not only individual language, but as well as because how language influence on society and people.

 

Beginning 1950’s, schools have picked the pace of medical resources. Teachers utilized the access of television, music, cell phones, and Internet that actually increased and available to almost all students. In the 21^st century, young people of today have even more become liberate to access these medial resources everywhere. From young people to adult ones, not quite all are affected to investigate these things, in which generate advantages as well as disadvantages to their lives.

 

By using television, music, internet, and cell phones, the advantages of learning outside the classroom by means of these influence vastly to boost their learning. Questionnaires were given out to 56 students in three ninth grade classes, and interviews were carried out along with their teachers. The result showed that large numbers of these students contemplated that they learned more outside the classroom, by and large referred to medial resources. The students have claimed that they learned new things such as phrases, words, and pronunciations.

 

Out of 3 teachers who were interviewed, 2 of them admitted that they use TV and music regularly in their teaching. These teachers believe about the importance of this learning style of teaching to their students, even at languages schools. Though some teachers do not employ this form of teaching and may differ of the similar opinion, but eventually, medial resources have a big impact to each learner.

 

Not everyone is appreciative with hearing a person who is actually not Japanese in nature but is able to speak Japanese language fluently. There’s this video I saw one time to which an obviously British magician who exhibited his tricks in Tokyo. He was very fluent with the city’s language. Though not everyone is really appreciating how a foreigner—an English native, to be specific—could speak a foreign language as unique as the Japanese language.

That’s why if you would be given the chance to study Japanese in Japan, don’t hesitate to take such opportunity. Not everyone is given that chance. And if you are the person who is greatly interested to learn and master this unique but amazing language, I’m sure; the choice to come to your target language’s country will give you endless advantages!

Japan, in fair view to this successful and growing country in terms of global and economical aspects, plays a very important role. So your employment opportunities are basically secured in this country especially when you gain access to information available only in Japanese language. Wouldn’t this give you an edge among others who are also looking for greener pasture in this country?

Besides, everything you will be learning in Japanese language schools will be applied from your day to day living especially when you’ll be staying in Tokyo or other Japanese cities for a certain period of time. Yes, your English is highly applicable here, but it will be a lot different if you can communicate to the people without minding effortful translations.

One of the things that Japanese language along with its culture is interesting to know is that it’s not the typical lifestyle at all. Yes, we are too exposed with the European or American culture already, which actually makes the Japanese culture more interesting. It’s definitely worth knowing when despite its uprising economy, they still retain their ancient culture.

So don’t hesitate to choose to learn Japanese language. And of course, where else could it be learned excellently, but in Japan right? Make inquiries for more details.

Holidays are the most relaxing time of a person since this is the perfect day to unwind. Most students don’t have classes during holidays, and some employed can avail their leave during these times because it’s the best season for going outs and travels. In the same way, this is also the best time to go for foreign language learning especially when you have no other time to choose.

 

What else could you possibly do during holidays aside from going on a vacation or just staying at home? Wouldn’t you prefer to make this moment more productive?

 

That’s why we highly recommend you to let your holidays spent by going to foreign language schools. And if you’re thinking that courses offered by these language schools are offered only during regular days, think again. There are schools that offer specialized courses particular during holidays.

 

I strongly encourage you to choose to learn foreign languages during holidays. Besides, when would be the best time to learn a new language if you are too busy taking your regular classes if you are a student? When would you find time to increase your knowledge with a foreign language if you are currently employed? You can only find the perfect time to learn languages during holidays, unless you intend to enrol to a formal language class.

 

Besides, the language classes on courses intended during holidays are less intensive and more enjoyable. Though the course during holidays covers basic or even intermediate levels of learning, there is more time arranged for excursions and vacations as well. This will be the perfect opportunity to get to know new people, familiarize the foreign place you are into, and finally master the foreign language you want to know.

 

Perhaps you are interested to learn French language. How about going to Paris for a holiday and learning getaway? When Italian language interests you, why not go to Italy for a holiday escapade and education? There are so many languages a learner can choose, and during holidays, there are so many destinations to choose from. Make inquiries for more details.

There are so many ways to learn French language. One of such is the most common way of acquisition which actually allows students to learn French at language schools.However, tendencies with language school French learning is that most students get too familiar with the method. They want to explore more methods that will not require them to get to the conventional classroom setting. That’s why learning online and other methods like audio and video usage, movie viewing, intensive book reading, etc. are discovered and used by some learners.

But one of the most controversial learning methods that have been known to mankind today is the subliminal learning. Not all learners apply this method and not everyone is very familiar with this. We will be tackling whether this learning method is really very effective and know how effective it really is based on facts.

Defined by Learn French Today, subliminal learning is where the recipient receives messages or information to the brain in such a way that he is barely aware that he is receiving them. So basically, the brain is absorbing the French lessons information subconsciously.

Subliminal learning is actually not just applicable for French learning but can also be applied when you want to learn language in other varieties as well. But the question is to how to identify that a learner can effectively learn French? Well for now, this is still the big question for others as well and until now it’s still the topic of many debates.

According to the resource, “studies have shown that we can pick up many subliminal clues from our environment and that we incorporate them into our conscious behaviour throughout the day.
In short, our brains can take note of the things that are happening outside of our conscious field of sound and vision.” And to answer the question if a learner can really learn French by using subliminal learning, scientifically it’s possible.

“Subliminal learning is a method of influencing the subconscious, that’s why all the human senses are involved in the development of the subconscious mind but the senses of sight and hearing are thought to be the two most effective and best mediums for connecting with our subconscious mind,” quoting what the resources meant once again.

So if you are thinking of taking this learning method, yes, you can actually learn French effectively by taking subliminal learning.

As we all know, each foreign language has its own funny side. Whether it could be English, Spanish, or even German, people can tend to laugh at it because the language in itself really has a funny side.

And there is actually no exception when it comes to German language. Not only that this idiom is funny because a person can crack a joke using the language, but the features that German language has is what makes the language funny.

That is according to a stand-up comedian named Henning Wehn to which according to BBC, he takes a humorous look as to what is so funny about German language. Interested in knowing the details? Here are the lists:

Telling the time

According to the comedian, punctuality is really a highlight among Germans.  That’s why if you do not know how to tell the time using German language, it will leave you in an hour of disappointment.

 

Gender bender

Germans are actually very specific in detailing genders, added by Henning When once again. According to him, Germans don’t only highlight genders among male and female but also to other things as well. As what he explained, even tables are considered male among Germans and pretzels as female. I wonder how and why German language put it that way, hmm…

 

How to be polite

Could you believe that simple gestures like handshaking, gazing, and even cheek kissing has something to do with German culture? Yes, all languages have differences in simple gestures and how each are interpreted by each culture, and mind you, one simple gesture can either be very humorous or  offensive to a particular culture.

 

Long and winding words

In English, Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is the famously known as the longest word according to Oxford dictionary. But as far as German language is concerned, it actually has a 60-odd letter word that really seem wanting to catch attention. Would you dare to read this in just one reading? Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz. Now that is amazing.

 

So if ever you are interested to know more about the funny side of German along with its language and culture, I suggest that you avail German games online. This is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn language.

We can never erase funny things when it comes to language learning. From time to time, we want to pause from the serious side of learning and get ourselves to laugh at its funny side. Of course, we don’t want to get tedious with our learning, right?

Speaking of funny things, another topic I would like to bring up here is the funny English slogans. In fact, there are so many things that could make these slogans funny. In relation to learning English language, these funny slogans will actually get you think about something, then eventually throw something unexpected of you.

Here are samples provided by Sticky Slogans:

• Koo Koo for Coco Puffs
• Beanz Meanz Heinz
• Snap! Crackle! Pop! – Rice Krispies
• Zoom Zoom. – Mazda
• Hello Moto. – Motorola
• Do you… Yahoo!? – Yahoo

The listed examples above are words enlisted as funny slogans since the sounds of these words really have humor. According to its source, English usually has hard sounds that actually make the word funny.

Looking for further examples? Here’s more:

• Are you a Cadbury’s Fruit and Nut case? (Fruit and Nut is a type of candy bar)
• Keep Walking – Johnny Walker Whiskey
• Live to Loaf – Strongbow
• The king of good times. – United Breweries

Funny slogans are actually used for advertisements in a humorous way. At the same time, this is the perfect tool to help learners learn English language. And if you want a recommendation, I would suggest you to take learning abroad and learn English in Washington. Otherwise, you might want to consider other destined English language schools located worldwide. Make inquiries.